Every generation has a chaos show — a cultural artefact that captures the vulnerability and specific humour of right now, whenever that “now” might be. In 2012, it was Girls. In 2016, it was Insecure.

Few TV series in recent memory inspired more water-cooler conversation than HBO's Girls. From its 2012 premiere to its 2017 finale, fans and critics alike rushed to defend or excoriate it. Creator, ...